NAIROBI, Kenya – Nine candidates have made the final shortlist for the position of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer, setting the stage for interviews involving two senior public-sector figures as the electoral agency prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Secretary and CEO Halakhe Waqo and National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa are among the candidates selected for the top administrative position.
The shortlist, published on Wednesday, October 28, was drawn from 304 valid applications received after IEBC advertised the vacancy on July 28. Applications closed on August 11, according to the commission’s recruitment details.
The other shortlisted candidates are Harley Mutisya, Edmund Odiwuor Malitt, Andrew Gitau Kimani, Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Martina Wato Yattani and Nelly Ilongo.
Interviews Set for November 12 and 13
IEBC has scheduled interviews for November 12 and 13, with candidates assigned individual interview slots.
Those invited must present original identification documents, academic and professional certificates, transcripts and other supporting documents. They will also be required to provide clearance certificates from the EACC, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and a registered Credit Reference Bureau.
The commission said its shortlisting process considered gender balance, regional representation and the inclusion of persons with disabilities, to the extent reasonably possible based on the applicant pool.
The nine candidates come from eight counties, according to the published shortlist.
IEBC also warned that canvassing would lead to automatic disqualification, adding that only shortlisted applicants would be contacted.
Waqo and Omerikwa Among the Finalists
Waqo previously served as the inaugural Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the EACC from 2013 to 2019, completing a six-year tenure at the anti-corruption agency.
Omerikwa, meanwhile, has led NACADA since his appointment in November 2023. His inclusion places the head of the national agency responsible for coordinating efforts against alcohol and drug abuse among those seeking to take charge of IEBC’s secretariat.
Their candidacies come as the electoral commission seeks a substantive chief executive to oversee its administrative operations and support preparations for the next general election.
CEO Appointment Comes Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Commission Secretary also serves as IEBC’s chief executive, head of the secretariat and accounting officer. The office oversees the implementation of commission decisions and the day-to-day administration of the electoral body.
The recruitment process began with a vacancy notice issued on July 28, inviting qualified Kenyans with relevant management experience and backgrounds in areas such as electoral matters, governance, finance, public administration, law or political science.
The appointment is significant because IEBC must manage administrative and logistical preparations for the 2027 General Election, including coordinating the work required to deliver electoral processes.
With interviews now scheduled, the process moves to the next stage after the commission narrowed the field from hundreds of applicants to nine candidates.
